GUIDELINES FOR HONORS STUDENTS


If you signed up for 120BH, you will be gathering data, entering them
on the computer and, towards the end of the quarter, estimating
relationships.  I expect the data search and compilation part to take 4
to 6 weeks.  Since you are less likely to be burdened with assignments
and exams during the next few weeks, you should get the bulk of the
above work out of the way by starting early.  The grade for 120BH will
piggyback on top of the regular 120B grade.  You will be given up to 5
bonus points.  How much of that you get depends on your work.  
CAUTION:  IF YOU SIGN UP FOR 120BH BUT DO NOT DO THE PROJECT, THREE POINTS
WILL BE TAKEN OFF YOUR REGULAR 120B SCORES.

The first step is to read Section 1.3 of the book and then Appendix D. 
You should also read the first part of Chapter 14 of the book.  Select
a list of data files that appeal to you for updating or for doing for
another area.   Next, stop by my office to make sure that some of those
are not already taken (for instance, students in 120BH last quarter have
already updated some of the data files and you cannot duplicate that).

You should then look at the header files for actual data sources. 
The easiest way to do this is through the Windows interface to ESL
called ESLWIN.  If you have a personal computer at home, be sure to
install the disk that came with it and double click the ESLWIN icon
from Windows.  If you don't have the program disk at home, you can view
it from the Econ 100 lab in the directory C:\PGMS\ESL.  In the lab too
double click the ESLWIN icon.  Then make selections in the following
order: File, Data-Header file, textbook data-set, and then the file
name (e.g.  data9-3.hdr).

After selecting a data set, the next step is to look for data.  Here
the first thing to do is to see if the data can be obtained from the
Web.  From a browser, link to my Web page at
http://weber.ucsd.edu/~rramanat and click the "hotlink to databases". 
See if you can get data online.  If not, stop by the information desk
in the Government Documents section on the first floor left wing of the
Central library and ask the personnel there.  They are usually very
helpful in locating the data.

You should report your progress to me at least once a week.  Initially
stop by my office and tell me about it.  Thereafter you can send me
email about your progress.